Do you wash your hands properly?

Headlines out today warn that half of the U.S. population could contract the H1N1 (swine flu) virus in the coming months. With kids and teachers headed back to school it would be easy to obsess about germs worrying about every surface you touch or hand you shake. And although most cases are expected to be mild, I’d wager very few people want to contract even the most mild case of the flu.

The good news is that you can prevent it. The simple hand-washing steps parents teach young children every day are still the most effective method of prevention. Unfortunately, most of us, including yours truly on occasion, don’t do it right.

So as a refresher, here are the six simple steps to better hand hygiene:
1. Wet hands with warm water.
2. Apply soap.
3. Rub hands together for at least 15 seconds (Sing "Happy Birthday" twice. Be sure to wash front and back of hands, between figures and around and under fingernails.)
4. Rinse well, letting water drip off fingers, not run down arms.
5. Dry hands with paper towel.
6. Turn off water with paper towel. (Remember that dirty hands turned the water faucet on.)

In a pinch, alcohol hand gels and disinfecting wipes may also do the trick.

If you want to take preparations a step further, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology has released a report of recommendations.

Happy handwashing!